Knowledge Base

Desktop Monitor blank, black screen or is not turning on.

Check the Power LED on the Monitor.

The Power LED on most Dell Flat-Panel Monitors is located in the lower right corner on the front of the Display. Using the image below as a guide, choose what state the power LED is currently in (circled in red in Figure 1).

Note: The Power LED may be Amber (yellow), Green, Blue, or completely off.

Figure 1: Location of the Power LED on Dell Flat-Panel Monitors

Follow the instructions below for the color of the Power LED your monitor has.

Completely off- Move on to Step 2

Amber LED- Move on to Step 3

Green/Blue LED- Move on to Step 3

Check the Power

Unplug the monitor from the wall.

Unplug the cord from the back of the monitor.

Wait one minute

Plug the monitor cord back into the Monitor and a known-good wall outlet.

Press the Monitor power button.

If this still does not work, try with known-good power cord. Typically a Desktop power cord is the same as a Monitor power cord.

Check the video cable.

Confirm that a power cable is connected to the monitor and a power outlet.

Monitors do not receive power through the video signal cable, but instead need their own power connection.

Ensure the video cable is connected to the correct video source.

Laptop Computers: Determining the video source for Dell laptop computers is not an issue, as all of the video connectors use the same video card and additional video cards cannot be installed in the computer.

Desktop Computers: Look at the back of the computer (Figure 1) to check for any installed add-in video cards. Usually, integrated video cards are automatically disabled when an add-in video card is installed. The monitor must be connected to the add-in video card, if present.

Figure 1: Video Connectors On the Back of a Desktop Computer

Numbers reference image above:

Display Port Connector

Integrated Video Card Connector

Add-in Video Card in Expansion Slot

Ensure that the correct type of video cable is connected.

Note: Use only one video signal cable to connect the monitor to the computer. Only one connection is necessary and connecting more than one can cause problems.

Display Port

Display Port is a new digital standard for connecting monitors to computers and has the capability to provide a scalable digital display interface with optional audio and high-definition content protection (HDCP) capability. Display Ports usually resemble USB Ports with one side angled.

A Display Port cable should be used if Display Port connectors are available on both the computer and the monitor.

DVI

Digital Video Interface (DVI) is the digital standard for connecting monitors to computers. DVI connections are usually color-coded with white plastic and labels.

DVI cables provide a higher quality signal than VGA cables. A DVI cable should be used if DVI connectors are available on both the computer and the monitor.

VGA

Video Graphics Array (VGA) is the analog standard for connecting monitors to computers. VGA connections are commonly color-coded with blue plastic and labels.

A VGA cable should be used if DVI connectors are not available on either the monitor or the computer.

Note: Add-in video cards that use a connector type other than DVI or VGA require a cable adapter, or dongle, to connect to a monitor.

Monitor Input Selection.

On most Dell monitors there is a Quick Access or Input button This button allows you to change your monitor to the selected Inputs such as: VGA, Digital/DVI, Display port and various other video input sources that your monitor may have.

Press the Quick Access or Input button to change to the correct video input source.

Monitor Power LED is on.

If you have completed the previous troubleshooting steps and your Monitor LED is on, and you are still not receiving video on your monitor. In some cases this may be due to the System not receiving power. Continue onto No Post No Power troubleshooting.